When people are asked to define comfort foods, the answer is variable. There are as many variations to the answer as there are individuals who are asked the question. What makes something a comfort food while others are not? Is it related to diet or type of recipe? Is it related to region or country?

At a restaurant, a waitress was asked the question of what she thought of when she was asked about comfort foods. She did not hesitate to answer, "Oh, meat loaf and potatoes, green beans. Stuff like that." When asked to describe how she came to her answer, she said, "These are the things that I had growing up at family meals." It appears she related to meals that she had at home with family.

Comfort foods remind people of home and family. It is food that gives them comfort, a sense of family and home. People think of family gatherings, holidays, and special occasions. It does not necessarily have to do with a secret family recipe (although the secret might be that eating gives members of the family a warm feeling of home). It is not surprising that everyone has an image of a family meal.

Yahoo! News Search Results for Comfort Foods
Yahoo! News Search Results for Comfort Foods

Ramen, Japanese Comfort Food And College Staple, Floats to Top (The Lakeland ...
Nearly four decades after the first instant ramen noodle factory opened in the U.S., Japan's beloved comfort food finally is making inroads - even achieving cult status - in a nation where burgers and pizza still rule.
New Indian restaurant is a 'must dine' (Savannah Morning News)
I'm at a disadvantage when writing about Indian food. I did not grow up in a community with Indian restaurants - it is not among my comfort foods. That's about to change.
Kozy Shack in Snack Lineup for the Mets (NYTimes.com via Yahoo! Finance)
Tubs of Kozy Shack rice and chocolate puddings are now being sold at Shea Stadium alongside the hot dogs and giant pretzels, and are being included in children?s meals at the ballpark.
To beef up bottom lines, ranchers sell to consumers (The Wichita Eagle)
As his cattle saunter across a sunny Harvey County pasture, Jim Brubacher squints and smiles. "See that wide bottom? That's what we're looking for," Brubacher said, pointing a burly finger at one departing calf. "That's your big ribeyes." Kansas ranchers have always bred and raised cattle for certain characteristics so they could sell them to the large producers that supply most of the ...
Devilishly delish (San Jose Mercury News)
There are a lot of foods that define summer for me: the warmth and complex flavor of a fresh-off-the-vine tomato, the snap of a great grilled hot dog, the refreshing sweetness of a perfectly ripe watermelon. Dining forums | Restaurant listings Laurie Daniel on Wine
WHAT FREEDOM MEANS (The Florida Times-Union)
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
New store focuses on Peruvian items (The Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
Nella Infantas has opened Nella Terra Inc. at 1656 Main St., across from the First Baptist Church, Sarasota.
Grand Avenue Grill (Vail Daily)
In a quaint house on Highway 6 in Eagle sits the Grand Avenue Grill. It has a homey feel to it, as if the owners were there personally cooking the food and seating the guests ? and they are. Chris and Mike Ryan put in a lot of hours at their restaurant and it shows.
Recreation digest (The Bismarck Tribune)
Golf WDJT EVENT At Hawktree On June 24 10-12 year olds Girls 1. Callie Carlson. Boys Championship Flight: 1. Jake DeForest. 2. Drew Lingle.
Ramen finds new fans (The Sudbury Star)
Nearly four decades after the first instant ramen noodle factory opened in the U. S., Japan's beloved comfort food finally is making inroads -- even achieving cult status -- in a nation where burgers and pizza still rule. Once considered just a bargain meal for cash-starved college students, [...]